India vs Pakistan: Ishan Kishan’s Blazing 77 Powers India to 61-Run Victory in Colombo
COLOMBO — The high-stakes T20 World Cup fixture between India and Pakistan ended in a decisive 61-run victory for the Men in Blue, cementing their place in the Super Eight stage. While the pre-match narrative focused on established stars, it was wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan who dictated proceedings with a counterattacking 77 off 40 balls, setting up a target that Pakistan’s batting lineup failed to challenge.
Chasing a competitive 176, Pakistan crumbled under relentless pressure from the Indian bowling unit, folding for 114 in 17.5 overs. The result highlighted the widening gap between the two sides on the day, with India excelling in all three departments.
Match Scorecard Summary
| Team | Score | Top Performers (Batting) | Top Performers (Bowling) |
|---|---|---|---|
| India | 175/7 (20 ov) | Ishan Kishan 77 (40) Suryakumar Yadav 32 (29) |
Saim Ayub 3/25 (4) Salman Ali Agha 1/25 (2) |
| Pakistan | 114 all out (17.5 ov) | Usman Khan 44 (34) Rinku Singh (India) 11 (4) |
Varun Chakravarthy 2/16 (4) Jasprit Bumrah 2/17 (3) |
Kishan Dismantles Pakistan’s Attack
Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha elected to field and immediately surprised India by opening the bowling himself. The tactic worked initially, removing Abhishek Sharma in the first over. However, the arrival of Ishan Kishan shifted the momentum decisively. Kishan launched an immediate offensive against pace spearhead Shaheen Shah Afridi, striking a six off his first delivery and taking 15 runs off the opening spell.
Kishan’s aggressive intent neutralized Pakistan’s strategy of bowling wide of the crease. He dominated the powerplay, scoring 42 of India’s 52 runs in the first six overs. His assault on spin was particularly severe; he swept Abrar Ahmed for six and consistently found the boundary against Shadab Khan.
Key Innings Stats:
- Runs: 77
- Balls: 40
- Milestone: 27-ball half-century
- Partnership: 87 runs with Tilak Varma and middle order
Despite a mid-innings wobble where Saim Ayub claimed three quick wickets—including Tilak Varma and Hardik Pandya—India recovered through Suryakumar Yadav’s stabilizing 32 and Shivam Dube’s brisk 27. A late cameo from Rinku Singh pushed the total to a defensible 175.
Pakistan Batting Collapses Under Pressure
In response, Pakistan’s chase never materialized. Hardik Pandya struck in the first over to remove Shahibzada Farhan for a duck. Jasprit Bumrah then delivered a masterclass in seam bowling, dismissing the dangerous Saim Ayub and captain Salman Ali Agha in quick succession. Agha’s dismissal, a poor shot selection after a solid start, typified Pakistan’s disorganized approach.
The turning point occurred when Babar Azam, attempting to break the shackles against Axar Patel, was bowled attempting a cross-batted slog. Axar’s flat trajectory left the former captain with no room to maneuver, uprooting the middle stump and effectively ending Pakistan’s resistance.
While Usman Khan offered a lone hand with a fighting 44 off 34 balls, he lacked support. Pakistan’s top four failed to reach double figures. The introduction of Varun Chakravarthy hastened the end, as the mystery spinner claimed 2 for 16, wrapping up the tail with clinical efficiency.
Implications for Super Eight
With this victory, India has secured a strong position in the Super Eight standings. The bowling unit’s ability to defend 175 on a surface offering turn bodes well for the remainder of the tournament. For Pakistan, the heavy defeat raises questions about their batting depth and strategic flexibility against top-tier opposition.
For official tournament standings and upcoming fixtures, visit the International Cricket Council (ICC) website.